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2014 Supreme(Kar) 116

High Court of Karnataka (Circuit Bench At Gulbarga)
A.S. PACHHAPURE, J.
Shyamarao
Versus
Hanamant (Papanna) & Others
Regular First Appeal No. 1976 of 2006
Decided on: 17-02-2014

Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellant:Ashok S. Kinagi, R.M. Kulkarni, Advocates.
For the Respondents:R1, Ameet Kumar Deshapande, Advocate.

Headnote:

oral partition - Property Dispute - [AIR 1995 SUPREME COURT 1728, 2004(6) Kar.L.J. 644, 2009(4) Kar.L.J. 378, 2005 (3) KCCR 2100, 1987 (2) Kar.L.J. 369, (1994) 4 SCC 294] - The court discussed the principles of oral partition, evidence required to prove partition, and the burden of proof in a property dispute. The court emphasized the importance of record of rights and oral evidence in establishing partition and ownership of properties. The judgment also highlighted the relevance of unregistered partition deeds and the necessity of impleading all co-sharers in a suit for partial partition. The court's decision was influenced by the lack of evidence to establish the partition and ownership of the disputed properties.

Fact of the Case:

The appellant challenged the judgment and decree dismissing the suit for declaration and injunction. The dispute arose from an alleged oral partition of joint family properties, with the appellant claiming absolute ownership of certain properties. The trial court dismissed the suit, leading to the appeal.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the appellant failed to prove the oral partition and ownership of the disputed properties. The court emphasized the lack of evidence, including record of rights and oral testimony, to establish the partition and ownership. The court also rejected the alternative relief of partition due to non-impleadment of all co-sharers in the suit.

Issues: 1) Proof of absolute ownership of properties based on oral partition, 2) Grounds for interference in the impugned judgment and decree.

Ratio Decidendi: The burden of proof in property disputes, the relevance of record of rights and oral evidence in establishing partition and ownership, the necessity of impleading all co-sharers in a suit for partial partition, and the limitations of unregistered partition deeds were key legal principles influencing the court's decision.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the appeal, upholding the trial court's decision to dismiss the suit for declaration and injunction.

JUDGMENT

1. The appellant has challenged the judgment and decree in O.S.No,20/2005 dated 30th August 2006, dismissing the suit for declaration and injunction.

2. The parties would be referred to as per their ranks before the Trial Court for the sake of convenience.

3. The facts relevant for the purpose of this appeal are as follows:

The appellant - plaintiff before the Trial Court is the full brother of defendant No.4; they are the sons of Muddurao, whereas defendant Nos.1 and 3 are the son and daughter of Aannaraya arid defendant No.2 is the wife of Annaraya; Muddurao and Annaraya were full brothers; they were said to be the members of a joint family. The family owned the lands bearing 1) Sy.No.72/1 later numbered as C.S. NO.106/A measuring 9 acres b guntas, 2) Sy. No.72/2 later numbered as C.S.No.l06/B measuring 8 acres 12 guntas, 3) Sy. No.5/2 later numbered as C.S.No.11 measuring 5 acres and 4) Sy. No.74/2 measuring 8 acres 37 guntas; Muddurao and Annaraya had purchased the property bearing Sy. No. 5/2 in the year 1956, whereas the land bearing Sy.No.74/2 was sold in the said year; the parties continued in joint possession of the remaining properties.

4. As contended by the plaintiff, there was an oral partition in the year 1959. In the partition, the lands bearing Sy.Nos.72/1 and 72/2 (C.S.NO.106/A and C.S.NO.106/B) which are the suit properties said to have fallen to the share of the father of the plaintiff and the 4th defendant; they were said to be the dry lands; the other property bearing Sy.No.5/2 (C.S.No.11) measuring 5 acres which is said to be an irrigated land said to have fallen to the share of Annaraya, the father of defendant Nos.1 to 3 and the husband of defendant No.2; the plaintiff's fathers name came to be entered in the record of rights all along till he died in the year 197b and thereafter, the names of the plaintiff, defendant No.4 and another brother who died unmarried later were entered; they claimed that they are the absolute owners in possession of the suit property in pursuance of the oral partition and the defendants 1 to 3 have no right title or interest of whatsoever type in it.

5. Later there was some dispute between the parties relating to the entries in the record of rights and the matter went upto Assistant Commissioner in RTS appeal. At the relevant point of time, there was an obstruction to the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit properties of the plaintiff. The 4th defendant is said to be supporting defendant Nos.1 to 3. It is in these circumstances that the suit came to be instituted seeking relief of declaration that the suit properties are the absolute properties of the plaintiff and defendant No.4 and for injunction against defendant Nos.1 to 3 to restrain them from causing obstruction to their peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit properties.

6. The 1st defendant has filed his written statement denying the averments made and it is his specific contention that the oral partition was in the year 1958 and in the said partition, the suit Sy.No.72/1 (C.S. 106/A) fell to the share of his father, whereas suit Sy. No.72/2 (C.S.No.106/B) fell to the share of the plaintiff’s father. It is also contended that the land bearing Sy.No.5/2 (C.S.No.11) was continued to be in joint possession of the parties. He also submits that there is a mutation entry in this regard, which was never challenged by the plaintiff and defendant No.4. Therefore, he has denied the averments that the suit properties are in possession of the plaintiff absolutely and he has also denied the alleged obstruction. It is his specific contention that Sy.No.72/1 (C.S.No.106/A) is in possession of defendants 1 to 3 all along since from the date of the partition and as there was illegal mutation entry, the lame was challenged before the appropriate authorities. He submits that the plaintiff got a mutation entry created in the year 1999 on the basis of a report relating to the death of his father. It is on these gro

























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